Alvarado's mistake gave Pieterse the Lead, Betsema unexpectedly rises at National Championships
Cyclocross
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Follow us on GoogleThe women's national cyclo-cross championships in the Netherlands were right up Puck Pieterse's alley on Sunday. The Fenix-Deceuninck rider broke away from the competition early on and was never caught, crossing the finish line well ahead of her rivals. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and Denise Betsema claimed the remaining podium spots, both sharing their thoughts after the race.
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Alvarado spent most of the race riding solo, securing second place. She watched Pieterse pull away in the opening phase after making a mistake herself. "I pushed hard early on, and we had a gap, but then my handlebars twisted, and Puck was gone. After that, it was basically over, which was a shame," she admitted.
"Puck pulled further away with every lap, so you have to admit she was the strongest," said Alvarado, who managed to hold off Marianne Vos. "The gap was big, and I kept pushing, but I think I can be satisfied. I started with some doubts after a physically tough week—I wasn’t feeling well and had some back issues. I just hoped everything would hold up, and it did."
The grueling mud course in Oisterwijk added to the challenge. "The running definitely isn't easy," Alvarado said. "It would’ve been easier if there had been more riding, but it is what it is. Now I’m heading to Spain, where I’ll also race in Benidorm and start preparing for the World Championships. But first, I need to make sure I’m back to being 100% fit."
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3rd place feels like a victory for Betsema
Denise Betsema never let up and, in the penultimate lap, closed in on Marianne Vos, eventually overtaking her to claim third place. "This feels like a win. I’ve felt in recent weeks that things were improving, but this is really great. I was already riding well in Gavere and Dendermonde, so I think it’s a combination of the challenging courses and my form getting better again."
Vos, in the end, couldn’t hold on. "Seeing her ahead of me definitely helped. I noticed I was riding faster in some sections, so I just went for it and overtook her directly because Marianne is always a fighter," Betsema said about her competitor from Visma | Lease a Bike.
"I’m no longer bothered by my knee, which used to be an issue," she added. "I had surgery in March, so I started building up intensity quite late. You think it doesn’t matter much, but the level is so high... even a small percentage puts you far behind. And with the busy race schedule, there isn’t much time to train properly or make adjustments. Honestly, I’m already looking forward to next season."
How will she celebrate back on Texel? "Probably just with my family," Betsema said. "This is a big mental boost, and I’m already looking forward to the last stretch of the season. I hope I can keep this momentum going a little longer."
Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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Latest Comments
- - I’m still learning how cyclocross works: when he says he messed up the start at the Europeans, can a bad start really make that much difference?patriciaw14-11-2026
- - Love that he’s honest about the pressure. Hopefully he can carry this form through the winter.lindae14-11-2026
- - Beating different competition is the key now. Nys is already in the mix, and Van der Poel could make the next step a much tougher one.jennifer1914-11-2026
- - About time—Mason’s been knocking on the door for years. That Niel win could really open things up for him.cadencekingm14-11-2026
- I’m still learning how cyclocross works—does leading the Superprestige mean Mason is top of that race series, rather than the World Cup? Either way, winning in Belgium sounds like a massive result.cadencekingm13-11-2026
- Calling Onley a contender for an overall Tour win already feels a bit premature, especially after the injury setbacks. Still, the depth of talent is exciting.robert6513-11-2026
- Great to see Dickson’s route from triathlon to the WorldTour getting recognition. Scottish cycling has plenty to be proud of, and the 2027 Grand Départ could give the next generation a real lift.patriciaw13-11-2026
- The article makes a good case for clubs and small teams doing the groundwork, rather than one big development pipeline. Thornley’s Vuelta time trials were seriously impressive too; missing a stage win by two seconds is brutal.davidm13-11-2026
- Mason winning in Niel is huge—beating that kind of Belgian field in the mud takes serious class. The Kelvingrove World Cup could be an unforgettable homecoming.breakawaybikerd13-11-2026
- I’m not sure how WorldTour licences work—could these reports affect whether the team gets one next year, or is that decision based on other criteria?velodromevirtuoso113-11-2026